The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the American operation in Venezuela, which led to the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called for respect for the “political independence” of countries, following the American military operation and Washington’s announcement that it would “manage” the country’s affairs.
During the emergency meeting, Guterres said in a statement read by Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo: “In confused and complex situations such as the one we face, it is important to respect the principles,” especially “respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of States.”
He added: “I am very concerned about the potential for escalating instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent that could be set in how relations between States are managed,” expressing concern that “rules of international law have not been respected” during the military operation on Saturday.
He continued: “The situation is delicate, but it is still possible to avoid a wider and more devastating explosion,” calling on “all Venezuelan parties to engage in an inclusive democratic dialogue that enables all segments of society to determine their future.”
Before the Security Council session on Venezuela, the US representative to the United Nations defended the operation carried out by the American administration in Caracas, stressing that his country “does not occupy any country.”
The US representative said that Maduro is a “terrorist, drug dealer and responsible for suppressing his people and antagonizing the United States.” He added that “Maduro was a fugitive from justice and responsible for destabilization through the arms trade at the international level,” stressing that “Washington has compelling and strong evidence against him.”
He pointed out that “Venezuela cannot be turned into an area of operations for Iran, Hezbollah and gangs.”
The American spokesman also mentioned that Maduro “manipulates the electoral system in Venezuela to retain power,” noting that “more than 50 countries do not recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of the country.”
For his part, the Venezuelan representative to the United Nations, in his speech before the Security Council, condemned the military operation that resulted in the arrest of Maduro and his wife and the death of many elements.
The Venezuelan representative explained that his country was a victim of American attacks because of its natural resources.
He added: “We are facing a logic that goes back to the worst practices of neo-colonialism,” noting that accepting this would open the door for countries with military power to determine the economic and political destinies of other countries.
The representative called on the United States to respect the immunity of Maduro and his wife, immediately release them, and return them to Venezuela.
He pointed out that the constitutional order in the country has been preserved, and that the state exercises control over its territory despite the American attacks.
The Russian representative to the United Nations condemned what he described as “armed aggression” against Venezuela, calling on the United States to release Maduro and his wife, and stressing that “there is no justification for America’s crimes in Venezuela.”
The Russian representative, during the Security Council session, expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people for what they are facing of “aggression,” announcing his support for the government’s orientations to defend its sovereignty.
He explained that “American hegemony by force affects dozens of countries in different regions of the world.”
He added that “Washington has not hidden its basic motives for the Venezuela operation, which is to fully control Venezuela’s national wealth, and to affirm its goals of hegemony in Latin America, which gives great momentum to neo-colonialism and imperialism.”
He called on the international community to “not accept the American military operations in Venezuela,” stressing that this is the way to “force Washington to reconsider and reject its illusions.”
For his part, the Deputy Chinese Representative to the United Nations said that China is “deeply shocked” and condemns Washington’s “unilateral and illegal actions” in Venezuela.
The Deputy Chinese Representative added, in his speech before the members of the Security Council, that Washington “violates the principle of equality of sovereignty between countries through its operations in Venezuela.”
He explained that the United States placed its power above diplomatic efforts, posing a “threat to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean and internationally.”
He called on Washington to find a solution through dialogue and negotiations, release Maduro and his wife, and ensure their personal safety.
